MY COOKBOOK!

I’ve been waiting for this day for over 2 years. I finally get to tell you a bunch of stuff about my book, its launch, some practical information, and a fun pre-order surprise too! I’m going to lay this all out in slightly longer bullet points so that I don’t talk TOO much because I don’t want to bore you guys–I could honestly go back and forth about this book, the work that went into it, and its life cycle for days and days. I’m sharing some sneak peek photos here too! Get yourself a cozy drink and settle in?

THE BASICS–The First Mess Cookbook will be out March 7th, but can be pre-ordered now. More about that below.

-There are 125 recipes in this hardcover book that weighs a little two pounds. It’s comprised of almost entirely fresh material–just a few well-loved blog recipes in the mix.

-The book is divided into the following sections: Mornings and Breakfasts, Soups and Stews, Salads and Dressings, Hearty Mains and Big Plates, Vegetables and a Couple of Grains, Energizing Drinks and Small Bites, Desserts and Small Treats.

-There’s a beautiful photo for every single recipe, plus some bonus photography throughout for that little touch of “atmosphere” ;)

-Every recipe is vegan, and there are symbol notations for gluten-free, cane sugar-free, sugar-free, nut-free, and oil-free options.

-I wrote a big, feel-y introduction on how I got to this stage in my career/life, what kinds of things you’ll need in your kitchen in order to cook from the book, and some light observations on my favourite ingredients for plant-based cooking success.

-There are two covers. The blue-ish background one is the US version. It features live arugula from Slegers and it was taken on my parents’ concrete garage floor. The one with the pot pies/cute little casseroles on the cover will be released in Canada because reminders of cozier fare to get us through the winter are essential. Despite the different covers, the book is exactly the same on the inside.

If you enjoy the content from the blog, my Instagram account, or any sneak peeks via the #FirstMessCookbook hashtag, you’ll probably love this book. Even when I make a salad or a vegetable side here, I always try to make it hearty and filling somehow–the book follows through on this effort. When the recipe isn’t an outright main course, there’s usually a healthy fat or protein-rich component involved to make it feel satiating anyway. I’ve tried mightily to position this book at the intersection of hearty, elegant, earthy, and seasonal.

This book will give you a glimpse into how I cook for myself, my family, and my people at large for plenty of occasions, whether that means a quiet earl grey latte with lots of vanilla for me and me alone to enjoy in the early hours–or it’s a gluten-free, cane sugar-free, totally vegan, and utterly delicious coconut cream tart because I need to impress some semi-skeptical omnivores. I know that sometimes I go funky with the ingredients for drinks and such here (like the cordyceps from earlier this week hehe), but rest assured that the focus of this book is recipes made with accessible and seasonal ingredients. Simple and great!

There’s a few tricks, too. I show you how to make fresh almond milk in less than a minute, the easiest shortcut to steel-cut oatmeal that won’t have you hovering over the stove just stirring and stirring, how to make luscious (non-banana-based) ice cream without an ice cream maker, the pantry ingredients that pretty much guarantee a lifetime of flavourful food, and, most importantly, how to make raw cookie dough into a semi-sensible afternoon snack.

The thought of real people finally having this book is, somewhat predictably, thrilling one moment and scary the next. I think that’s normal for any creative work that’s put out there, and I’m finding a bit of calm just in that thought alone. Off and on, this project took up over 2 years of my life, so just flipping through these pages gives me so many vivid memories of time, place, and feeling. I really gave this thing everything I had, and it’s my hope that the sincerity translates when you finally get to see it. Until then, all my gratitude and love, all the time :)

I just pre ordered your book! I hope to recieve it very soon in The Netherlands! I am a big fan of your recipes and very inspired by your photo’s! Enjoy the ride! Greetz Floortje from HollandReplyCancel

Elizabeth12/01/2017 - 5:08 am

Immediately pre-ordered your book! I’m not at all ashamed to say that I have been stalking your blog since the first inkling of a cookbook. I’m SO looking forward to reading it! Congratulations!!!ReplyCancel

Hanna12/01/2017 - 5:10 am

Congratulations Laura! It looks beautiful and delicious. Can’t wait to see it.ReplyCancel

I can hardly wait! Your book is released on my Birthday so it must be my karma to have it in my life. I have been a big fan of your blog for years and have made loads of your delicious recipes. This is just icing on the cake. All the best to you Laura, from one Pices to another :-)ReplyCancel

I’m SO excited for tour cookbook! I was one of your recipe testers, I make some of the recipes that I tested very frequently – including my favorite if them just last night for dinner! Can’t wait to have a compilation of your amazing work all in the book. Congrats on your cookbook!!!ReplyCancel

I’m so happy for you Laura :) The photos are gorgeous and I can’t wait to cook from your book. Thank you for making it more acessible ingredient-wise!
Congratulations*ReplyCancel

Lacey12/01/2017 - 6:52 am

There’s so many new vegan cookbooks that have come out/are coming out, and I can say without a doubt that yours is the one I’m most excited about! I love the vibe of your blog and Instagram feed and absolutely can’t wait to get my hands on this book. Congrats on your labor of love :)ReplyCancel

Preordered! I have been waiting for this book since first coming across your blog a few years ago. Your photographs are always so beautiful and recipes are over the top delicious. Congratulations!ReplyCancel

This is a GREAT accomplishment. I look forward to ordering the book. With a household of 8 I’m always looking to keep it fresh, exciting, tasty and healthy in the kitchen and this new resource will help me do just that.ReplyCancel

Karen12/01/2017 - 9:53 am

Huge congrats on the final rollout, Laura! Having recently become a big fan (by some fluke, your blog has missed my regular reading radar until now) I couldn’t be more excited. I love the way you describe your targeted recipes – in that sweet-spot of an intersection between hearty, elegant, comforting and seasonal…precisely the recipes I gravitate toward year-round as I generally don’t feel my best eating precious or dainty types of meals. (BTW, I loved that creamy mushroom and kale stew that we discussed the other day – so simple and so satisfying!) Best!ReplyCancel

Congratulations, Laura! It looks beautiful. Thank you for explaining the difference between the Canadian and American covers. I always wonder how authors chose and why they are different. I’m looking forward to receiving it!ReplyCancel

Oh mannnn, those photos look incredible! Congratulations on your book and I’m so excited to see it. By your description it sounds amazing. :)

Also, I think it’s worth mentioning that both Amazon UK and DE offer preorders for the book, which is convenient for all of us living in Europe as they both ship all over. (As an alternative for anyone that doesn’t like Book Depository.)ReplyCancel

Just ordered one cookbook for me and one for my daughter. I live in Peterborough, but grew up in Fonthill and always feel like I am visiting home when your recipes and photos arrive in my email.ReplyCancel

Mark Guncheon12/01/2017 - 1:05 pm

Congratulations! Hard work pays off and just think of all the wonderful meals you and your family had to eat.ReplyCancel

Megan12/01/2017 - 1:21 pm

I was thrilled to pre-order your cookbook. How exciting. Huge congratulations!ReplyCancel

Preordered today and so psyched for the bundle of recipes to tide us over till the book’s release date!! I don’t know if I’ve ever been so excited to receive a cookbook – congrats on your hard work, long hours, and thanks for your inspiration!!ReplyCancel

Congrats x1000, Laura! I’ve been eagerly awaiting your book for a long time. Can’t wait to get my copy!ReplyCancel

Taylor12/01/2017 - 4:49 pm

Can I just say I am SO glad you decided to release this in March? I find that at the end of February is when I start getting to the end of my rope with the winter “blahs” (I live in Newfoundland -__-) and cooking my way through it always seems to help. Can’t wait! :)ReplyCancel

Krystal12/01/2017 - 5:49 pm

YAAAASSSS! I pre-ordered this in December and CAN.NOT.WAIT. to get it! I’m planning on working my way through all of the recipes and having a very happy tummy. :)ReplyCancel

I pre-ordered the book in early November! I am SO excited I can hardly wait! How nice of you to create a pre-order bonus. Looking forward to downloading that soon! Thank you for all your efforts! Cheers!ReplyCancel

So BEYOND excited to get my hands on this cookbook. You create the most ridiculously delicious recipes. I never get bored of cooking healthy foods thanks to you.ReplyCancel

Amy C12/01/2017 - 10:15 pm

One of the fondest memories I have of my mat leave last year was recipe testing for you for this cookbook – buying new ingredients, trying new techniques and sampling new creations. I have been waiting with excitement for this day to arrive ever since. Looking forward to seeing your final work and the recipes you decided to share with the world. Congrats from Toronto!ReplyCancel

Congratulations on the book! The photos look great! Now I’m curious about that mashed white bean and mushroom miso gravy yummmReplyCancel

Lizzie13/01/2017 - 11:21 am

I can’t wait!! I’ve been following you for years and I’m so excited to have your work sitting on my kitchen shelf :) You do such a good job making plant based eating delicious and filling, and you have taught me so many creative ways to use staples. Good job! And, congratulations!!ReplyCancel

Barbara D.13/01/2017 - 12:07 pm

Congratulations, Laura. I am so excited to receive the cookbook, your blog is a favorite of mine. I look forward to feeding my culinary inspiration as soon as it arrives :)ReplyCancel

Stunning, your phototography and styling is amazing! This is going to be a modern classic! Oh that bolognese… I bet every recipe will be super delicious, your book will have a steady in my kitchen!ReplyCancel

Hillary13/01/2017 - 7:29 pm

Hi Laura!!
I’m in Canada, and I’m somewhat of a cookbook collector, I’ve been waiting for yours forever. I LOVE the US cover, If I preorder from Amazon.com vs .ca will they still send me the Canadian cover? Haha, don’t get me wrong I love them both, so it certainly won’t stop my purchase if I can’tReplyCancel

Amazon.com will send you the American cover as long as you’re okay with any added shipping cost ;)
-LReplyCancel

Amanda14/01/2017 - 10:51 am

I was looking at the world-wide distributor as it comes with free shipping and is only $5 more in Canadian. It appears to be offering the American cover. :) I also prefer the American cover, so I totally understand! (The Canadian version is lovely, don’t get me wrong, but I really like the American one.)ReplyCancel

Every single photo here looks absolutely beautiful! I can’t wait to see the book in person! Congrats on this, it’s so exciting!ReplyCancel

Susan Shores14/01/2017 - 4:03 pm

Absolutely beautiful! So proud of you! I have been waiting for your cookbook! I preordered it. It wasn’t clear to me how you would know that in order to download the 10 new recipes on Feb. 6. Let me know when you can. Thanks.ReplyCancel

Hi Susan,
As long as you save the confirmation email/receipt from the online retailer that you pre-ordered the book from, you’ll have everything you need come February 6th. All instructions will be available here at that time as well.
-LReplyCancel

Hannah16/01/2017 - 6:18 am

Congrats Laura your book looks beautiful. I just wanted to say you helped me on my way to becoming fully plant based. Book ordered :)ReplyCancel

Oh Laura, this is so incredible. I can’t imagine how much it had to have taken to document this piece of you to share with us all – and I know we are going to be better for it. Thank you for creating this for us – I cannot wait to dig in to it’s pages soon! xxReplyCancel

Congratulations! This is quite an accomplishment!! I’m definitely planning on pre-ordering my copy. I know your recipes will be incredibly nourishing and equally delicious. I can’t wait to read it cover to cover. xx, JessReplyCancel

Just preordered your book ✌️Am looking forward to finally seeing what you’ve been working on. Love your recipes so I’m so excited for it! x LibertyReplyCancel

Sonka6725/01/2017 - 2:03 pm

Hi Laura, I have been following since Ginger, citrus + black sesame carrots w/edamame from April 2013, that photo to this day resides in my recipe library, what a stunner, just pre-ordered your book, can’t wait, wish you all the success in your future, SonjaReplyCancel

I made the weeknight dal for dinner tonight and it was soooooo good! The added spices at the end are genius. It’s unbelievable how much flavor and texture is in something so seemingly simple. I served it over basmati rice and it was JUST!! Thank you for your beautiful book. You really are such a talent.ReplyCancel